$38,900 Grant Funds Operation Drive Smart for Teens

The Duluth Police Department received a $38,900 grant that will allow it to continue to partner with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to combat teen driving deaths. The grant funds travel expenses for Duluth Police to take its Operation Drive Smart program to 15 Georgia high schools across the state during the 2012 school year, according to an announcement from the Duluth PD. 

The department received more requests over the past several years for the Drive Smart program than funding and time allows during the school year.  “Last year, we had to turn down three schools. It’s not for a lack of trying on our part; we completed 15 programs throughout the state traveling from Chatham County on the southern coast to Murray County on the Tennessee state line,” said Duluth Police Lt. Bill Stevens in the announcement.  “Since the program’s inception, over 150,000 Georgia teenagers have participated in our program.”

Duluth COPS officers and Georgia State Patrol troopers work together supporting other jurisdictions in curbing teen traffic crashes. “The program is a win-win for the students, schools and communities that participate because our efforts are to educate and mentor young drivers,” Stevens said. “The students are exposed to countless years of safety experience from public safety professionals and over $2.5 million worth of rescue and emergency equipment at each Drive Smart program.” 

The program is all about improving skills, saving lives, and is provided at no cost to the local jurisdiction or school, he said.